Using an anisotropic semivariogram of acoustic backscatter intensity to determine the effects of river and tidal forces on the spatial structure of the Gold River delta

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 445

[author abstract] River deltas are productive, fast changing landscapes that not only provide a habitat for marine life, but provide an ideal environment for researchers to study changing environmental conditions. This study will use the principle of autocorrelation and an anisotropic semivariogram to find a quantitative metric to describe the relative strength of river and tidal forces on the spatial structure of the Gold River delta. At the Gold River, tidal forces move perpendicular to the direction of river outflow. Because of this, comparing the major and minor ranges of an anisotropic semivariogram aligned parallel to the river outflow gives a measure of the relative strengths of these forces.

University of Washington School of Oceanography